Thursday, December 09, 2010

Steve Garvey, one of the most popular players in Dodgers history, said Wednesday he has assembled an investment group that would like to buy the team.

"It's always been a dream of mine to own a franchise," Garvey said.

On the day after a judge threw out an agreement that would have granted Frank McCourt sole ownership of the Dodgers, a decision that legal analysts said had increased the likelihood that the team eventually would be sold, McCourt said he would rebuff Garvey and all other would-be buyers.

"There are some great treasures out there that people would love to buy, the Dodgers among them," McCourt spokesman Steve Sugerman said. "But, like the Mona Lisa and the Pacific Ocean, the Dodgers aren't for sale."

Mark Cuban, the high-profile owner of the Dallas Mavericks and a losing bidder for the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, said last year he might be interested in the Dodgers. He declined to say Wednesday whether he would pursue the team.

"It's too early to say," Cuban said via e-mail. "Let's see what happens if and when it goes up for sale."

Cuban said last year he would consider investing in a team "where I could contribute capital to buy out a majority shareholder and gain control."

Not to rebuff Dad or anything but I think Mark Cuban would be a more optimal owner. At least we'd have treasure troves of money to spend after the purchase...

Churchill: Madam, would you sleep with me for five million pounds?Woman: My goodness, Mr. Churchill… Well, I suppose… we would have to discuss terms, of course…Churchill: Would you sleep with me for five pounds?Woman: Mr. Churchill, what kind of woman do you think I am?!Churchill: Madam, we’ve already established that. Now we are haggling about the price.